Vanity hotness inflation

You guys are so sweet about my hair and I would say something lame and self-deprecating, but the truth is that it's the best hair cut I've ever had and I love it.  I have NO regrets.  I already need a trim and I want to adjust it a bit (a few shorter layers in the back/on the sides, keeping it longer in the front for a more pronounced A-line).  It took me FOREVER to figure out how to style it correctly, but now that I've got it down (comb it straight while wet, add a front part, scrunch with Tigi Cat Walk Curls, air dry), it's honestly the best effort to results hair ratio I've ever had.  Even my WORST hair days are better than my ponytail days.

And Dave may not LOVE it, but "it's growing on him" and I'm still getting laid.

Speaking of, I bought some new jeans at the Gap yesterday that fit great and are about as smoking hot as I can get.  I tried them on for Dave and asked about my hotness and his somewhat-joking-but-really-maybe-not response was that I'm too old to be hot.  (!!!)  But then he said, "How about me?  What if I said,  Do these jeans make me look hot?" And, well, the man does have a point.  He did say I looked GREAT in the jeans and he always thinks I look sexy (seriously, the grosser I feel, the sexier he thinks I look).  I think hot is just an adjective that's difficult to objectively use for anyone with as many stretch marks as me.

Has anyone else noticed MAJOR vanity size inflation at the Gap?  I walked in there yesterday in an old Gap size 14 skirt that I inherited from sister.  It's probably already five years old.  It fits me, even if it is a bit snug.  I had used a big gift card (the last of my Club Mom points, sob) to buy myself some clearance stuff online and the size fourteens were all HUGE.  Seriously, I'm a size 14 THROUGH and THROUGH and I walked out of there yesterday with two pairs of size 12 jeans and two MEDIUM shirts (and a hat!).  And my weight had not changed a pound, I checked.  Part of me feels like this is REALLY WRONG (and unhealthy!) and part of me was all, "Size 12!  How 'bout them apples!?"

I've been meaning to do one of those "letters to my body" like everyone else did, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.  Recently I've been inspired by Yvonne's keynote reading of hers and how much I just want to shake her and tell her she's beautiful EXACTLY HOW SHE IS.  Is it too late?  I kind of have a LOT to say on the topic given that my body is about as far from perfect as you can get (enough skin for a person twice my size!  Gravity!), and yet, unlike almost EVERY other woman I know, I have no body issues whatsoever. 

Comments

[Tana]

So, where is the picture of these HOT JEANS??

Ahh...here is the thing. You can lose inches without losing pounds!

[Elizabeth]

First of all, your hair is just freaking amazing.
I love it so so so so much, it's ridiculous.
Secondly, I would LOVE to hear more about your lack of body issues, since like you say, you're pretty much the only woman I know without them. I would really love to hear more.

[rachel]

Do you think losing all that weight contributed to your lack of body issues by giving you some perspective on Then vs. Now, and how Now, while not perfect, is so much better than Then? Or did you not have any issues before either?

I don't have any body issues anymore, I would say, but it was taking dance classes (esp. belly dance) as an adult that helped me.

[Abby]

Very true about losing inches and no pounds. I lost several inches over a six week period earlier this year...went down two pants sizes...didn't lose a darned pound, lol!

I think I'm going to try some of that Tigi stuff...your hair is too cute!

[Melody]

I love the Catwalk Curls Rock creme. It is awesome. I wake up, shower, put it on my hair, and I am done. By the way, I do think your new do is fabulous.

I think I need to get to the Gap because I would love to be a size smaller and without dieting. :)

[Karen Sugarpants]

It's not too late I would imagine - Y is very sweet and wonderful and would probably love if you told her what you're thinking.
And YES to The Gap. Totally.

[Tami C]

You may not have 'body' issues, but I've never seen a picture of you smiling, with teeth?

[Julie]

First, I'm really sorry that I wasn't able to see you while we were in Portland. Next time, we'll make plans far in advance!

Second, your hair looks beautiful! I loved it long too, of course, but it sounds like it's much less time-consuming now.